Introduction

James G. Hart

pp. 1-9

in: Lester Embree (ed), Phenomenology of values and valuing, Berlin, Springer, 1997

Abstract

As with most areas of philosophy and with philosophy itself it is a disputed philosophical matter what precisely the subject matter is to which the name of the subject matter refers. Value-theory, J.N. Findlay has claimed¹, "began as a tailpiece to Ethics, but it arguably ought to end as the tail which wags the dog, which by illuminating the ends of practice alone makes the prescription of norms for practice itself a practicable undertaking." This view, I believe, remains disputed today even among those for whom value-theory is a basic discipline.